The Media Innovation Camp 2026 kicks off in Riyadh as part of the Saudi Forum
the Saudi Media Innovation Camp (SAUDI MIB) kicked off in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia , as part of the Saudi Media Forum 2026, which is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The camp's activities will continue from February 2nd to 4th, amidst a notable presence of experts and specialists, and a competitive atmosphere reflecting the rapid development witnessed by the media sector in the Kingdom and the region.
A competitive environment for shaping the future of media
The first day of the camp witnessed intense technical and media activity, with participants showcasing 21 projects that had qualified for the final stage. These projects underwent rigorous evaluation by a specialized judging panel comprised of nine experts in the fields of media and technology. Only five exceptional projects were selected to compete for the grand prize, which will be announced on the forum's closing day. The camp targets young people aged 18 to 40, whether working individually or in teams of three to six members, fostering teamwork and collaborative innovation.
Strategic context and ambitious vision
The organization of this camp comes at a time when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing radical transformations across various sectors as part of Vision 2030, where media plays a pivotal role in reflecting the Kingdom's progressive image and keeping pace with global changes. This event is not merely a fleeting competition, but rather part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming Riyadh into a regional and global hub for the digital media industry. By integrating advanced technologies into journalistic work, the Saudi Media Forum seeks to empower national talent and attract international expertise, thus contributing to the creation of a sustainable and globally competitive media environment.
Innovation pathways: Artificial intelligence takes center stage
The camp focuses primarily on three vital paths that shape the features of future media:
- AI-enhanced journalism: It revolves around employing algorithms to analyze big data, uncover hidden patterns, and combat deepfakes, thereby increasing the credibility of investigative journalism.
- Smart content creation: This includes developing tools that accelerate the production and editing processes for videos and podcasts, thus enriching the quality of visual and audio outputs.
- Virtual broadcaster: This is a path that aims to design media models capable of presenting news content in a human-like style, relying on reliable sources.
Strategic partnerships and global impact
This edition is particularly significant thanks to strategic partnerships with leading organizations, most notably the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). This collaboration provides participating projects with a deep technical dimension and ensures their alignment with the latest global standards. The outcomes of the Media Innovation Camp extend beyond awards, forming the nucleus of startups that could transform the media landscape in the region, further solidifying the Kingdom's position as a global hub for digital and media innovation.
